Defending the Republic

Dave Killion — June 28, 2011

I have noticed a trend in the US, where some state governments have reacted to increasing federal regulation by proposing or enacting legislation nullifying federal laws concerning items where there is no inter-state exchange. Items like guns –

“Eight states have thrown down the gauntlet and denied the federal government’s authority to regulate firearms that never cross state lines. In 2009, Montana became the first to enact a law declaring any gun manufactured and kept within the state’s borders was subject only to state rules. It’s now up to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to decide whether Montana – and by extension Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming – must yield to the whims of Uncle Sam.”

“The measure, sent to Gov. Rick Perry for consideration, lets any incandescent light bulb manufactured in Texas – and sold in that state – avoid the authority of the federal government or the repeal of the 2007 energy independence act that starts phasing out some incandescent light bulbs next year.”

“Not content to wait for the ban to be lifted at the federal level, New Hampshire legislators have passed a bill—currently awaiting the governor’s signature—to permit intra-state slaughter and consumption of horse.”

If these efforts pay off, it could lead to a mini-boom in manufacturing for several states. That’s not optimal, but it would help alleviate some of the ill consequences of federal intervention in the market.